Desperately Seeking a New Model of Economic Security for

							 Desperately Seeking
   a New Model of
  Economic Security
     for Canada:
                  The Basic Income (BI) Approach

                                    James P. Mulvale




ABSTRACT
      he level of economic security in Canada has remained tenuous over the


T     last several years due to cuts to social programs, the loss of stable,
      adequately paid jobs, and growing inequality in incomes. Many have called
      for the implementation of a Guaranteed Adequate Income (GAI) policy
framework and/or a Basic Income (BI) framework that would provide an
adequate level of income to all without conditions. Discussion of such a scheme
has cycled through Canadian social policy debates for decades, and has surfaced
recently in media stories, political party discussions, and policy and research
work.

The desirability and feasibility of GAI/BI was explored in depth with focus groups
in Saskatchewan composed of persons living in poverty and anti-poverty activists
and advocates. The focus group participants found this new model to be an
attractive alternative in principle. They also raised questions about how GAI/BI
would be designed and implemented. They emphasized the need to strengthen
universal “in-kind” programs such as health care, to coordinate any guaranteed
income initiative with other income security programs, and to ensure adequate
support to those with specialized needs (such as disabilities).

Some thoughts are offered on how to advance a GAI/BI agenda. The social work
profession would have a role to play in such an effort to achieve guaranteed
income.




                        Canadian Social Work/Travail social canadien